Raptor Of The Opera (Storm Hawks X Phantom Of The Opera)

Chapter Six - The Point Of No Return

On the premiere of Don Juan Triumphant, Aerrow and Kraton have made all the necessary preparations for the Phantom's strike. Piper readies herself for what Erik could be planning. Aerrow and Kraton sit in the seat on Box Five. As the performance begins, Piper's beautiful voice nearly entrances Aerrow, but he keeps focus. In one of the final scenes, Piper holds a flower when a disguised Phantom arrives.

Phantom(Singing): You have come here in pursuit of your deepest urge! In pursuit of that wish which till now has been silent. Silent. 

As the Phantom sings, he comes closer and closer to Piper. Piper becomes uneasy, but can't help but feel entranced by Erik's skill. Piper sings her lines to the Phantom's delight. The music builds up as they start to sing a duet. 

Phantom/Piper(Singing): Past the point of no return! The final threshold! The bridge is crossed, so stand and watch it burn! We've passed the point of no return!

The Phantom then embraces Piper in a loving embrace. Aerrow can't help but feel both terror and rage as he realizes that the singer was indeed the Phantom. But as the music slowly builds up, the Phantom sings once more.

Phantom(Singing): Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime. Lead me, save me from my solitude. Say you want me with you, beside you. Anywhere you go, let me go too! Piper, that's all I ask of.....

But before he could finish, Piper calmly takes off the Phantom's mask, revealling Erik's face to a horrified audience. Erik then stares into Piper's eyes. 

Kraton: GET HIM!

As the guards begin to move around them, Erik kicks the lever to the trapdoor and they both fall through the hole in the ground, as if they were descending into hell.

Aerrow: PIPER!

Kraton: We'll split up! He won't escape us!

Aerrow then climbs down balcony and makes for the hole, but finds it sealed. Aerrow then rushes backstage where Madame Giry finds him. 

Giry: Come with me Aerrow! I will take you to him! But remember, keep your hand at the level of your eyes!

Giry then leads Aerrow to the catacombs where Aerrow continues alone. Meanwhile, Erik and Piper run through the catacombs that leads to his lair.

Erik: Down once more to the dungeon of my black despair! Down we plunge to the prison of my mind! Down that path into darkness, deep as hell! 

Erik then leads Piper to his lair. When they reach the catacombs, Erik looks to Piper, still fearful. 

Erik: This face......which has earned a mother's scorn! I was denied love all my life Piper! All I want is you! Does my face truly scare you?!

Piper: It's not your face that scares me, it's what you've become that does Erik!

But as Piper says that, they both hear someone nearby. Erik and Piper look to see Aerrow behind the gate. Erik smiles and walks up to the gate.

Erik: What a pleasant surprise Aerrow! I was hoping you would make your way here!

Aerrow: Let her go! Take me instead! Do what you want with me, but only free her! Have you no pity?!

Erik: Your lover makes a passionate plea!

Piper: Please Aerrow, it's useless!

Aerrow: I love her! Does that mean nothing?! I love her! Show some compassion!

Erik: The world showed no such compassion to me! 

Aerrow: Please.....

Erik: Be my guest.....

Erik then walks to the lever and the gate rises and Aerrow enters. 

Erik: Did you think that I would harm her? Why would I make her pay for the sins which are yours?

Suddenly, the gate slams down behind Aerrow. Before he could react, Erik lunges at Aerrow and begins to tie a noose to Aerrow's neck and ties him to the gate.

Erik: Keep your hands to the level of your eyes! Nothing can save you now, except maybe dear Piper! 

Piper is horrified to see this. She can barely move as Erik turns to her with eyes red with rage.

Erik: Start a new life with me! Buy his freedom with your love! Refuse me, and you'll send your lover to his death! This is the choice! This is the point of no return! 

Aerrow: Piper! Get out of here! Don't worry about me! Just get out of here! 

Piper looks to the struggling Aerrow and then glances to Erik. Her mind races as Erik holds her love in danger. Aerrow's life was in her hands. She decides to make one last effort to talk down Erik.

Piper: Please Erik.....this isn't you! I can't even imagine the live you've known after I left....I'm sorry.....Erik....you're not alone.....

Piper then walks to Erik and kisses him a loving kiss. Aerrow watches with both horror and wonder as he struggles to free himself. After the kiss, Erik looks to Piper's tears and feels immense remorse. 

Erik: Take him! Forget me! Forget all of this! Leave me alone! Forget all that you've seen!

Piper then rushes to Aerrow and frees him. The two then embrace a loving embrace. 

Erik: Take the boat and swear to me to never tell the secrets you know...of the Angel in Hell! Go now! GO NOW! Go now and leave me be! 

Piper: Aerrow......I'm....I'm sorry.....

Aerrow: It's okay Piper.....it's over. Let's get out of here!

As Aerrow and Piper prepare to leave by boat, Piper looks to Erik who enters a room. 

Piper: There's something I need to give him.

Aerrow: But Piper.....

Piper: I'll be fine. Trust me.

Piper then runs to the room where Erik laments on everything. Seeing Piper in the room brought joy to him, but her face said otherwise. She walks to him and gives Erik the ring he gave her. Knowing full well what it meant, he cried. Piper then returns to Aerrow as they begin to sail away. As they do, Erik walks out and sees them sail away. His one source of happiness was leaving him, never to return. He could hear their song playing him his head. Piper turned her head to see Erik one last time.

Erik: You alone can make my song take flight. It's over now the music of the night! 

Erik then grabs a candle holder and begins smashing up every mirror in the room. His sorrow could not be put into words. He looked to the last mirror and shattered it, revealing a passageway. He walks through it, but not before taking one last look at his lair as he walks away.